Which Doctor?

I had an ultrasound scan this week.

I know it is fashionable (on many leading blogs, anyway) to talk about babies at the moment, but I am pleased to say that they will not be a source of conversation here.

I'm not pregnant, you see.

Ten years ago my father died as the result of an aneurysm. As his father had also died from the same cause, his consultant felt this could be an hereditary condition, and advised me to get a scan every ten years.

At college we were advised not to abuse our status (as clergymen) (by going to the butchers whilst wearing a dog-collar, for instance, in the hope of getting a few extra sausages). I've always tried to live by that rule.

I've managed to erase all mention of my PhD elsewhere, because I feel using the title is pretentious (if I were in an academic position it would be relevant, but it just isn't in my present role). I'm not sure how it happened (I think it may have been my old GP who altered my notes) but the NHS have me down in their records as a doctor. Is it abuse of my position if they misunderstand what kind of doctor I am?

So, I was called-in five minutes early (before everyone else in the waiting-room) and the (radiologist? not sure what an ultrasound operator is called, but it was in the radiology department) called me 'doctor' when greeting me. When he'd finished his work on my abdomen, he said: 'I'll be writing to your GP with the result, and so I'm not supposed to tell you what I've found, but seeing that you're a doctor, I think it's OK to say that you are clear. See you again in ten years.'

So that's OK then.

ps I'm on the shortlist to be the new Dr Who. You can all call me Doctor then.